Big Cat visit helped Auburn ahead of decision for 4-star Edge Jared Smith

AUBURN – Jared Smith , a 4-star edge from Hoover (Ala.) Thompson, made his way back for Big Cat Weekend as he said he would.

“It was good, just getting with all the recruits, talking to Coach Freeze, Coach Aldridge, Coach Durkin,” Smith said. “It was a great day.”

His highlight was the same as most recruits during the day. He enjoyed spending time with recruits and trying to win the scavenger hunt. Smith was competitive about the event with his team.

“The scavenger hunt, just running around with all the recruits, talking about recruiting with them,” Smith said. “We came in second.”

Smith is the No. 42 overall player in the class of 2025, the No. 4 edge, and the No. 2 player in the state of Alabama according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

Smith pointed toward Big Cat Weekend as an event he surely was not going to miss. He’s glad he made it in.

“Man, as you see, almost every Big Cat is a flip or commitment,” Smith said. “So just getting that energy, getting that number one 2026 recruiting class, that’s big, you know?”

Seeing four different guys (before the flip of Antonio Coleman from Alabama) commit to Auburn was an eye-opener for Smith.

“It was big, real big,” Smith said. “Just seeing those guys trust in the coaching staff, trust in Auburn. It was really good.”

Did Auburn help itself with Smith as he is close to a decision?

“Yeah, definitely, definitely, 100 percent,” Smith said. “As far as seeing how many recruits here and who I would be playing with definitely.”

What hats will be on the table when Smith announces his commitment on Aug 3?

“Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Southern Califorinia, Florida State,” he said.

If the choice is Auburn, what would be the main reason?

“Man, just the culture, then being in-state, that’s what everybody keeps preaching,” Smith said. “In-state kid.. Why not stay in-state? You know, play for your people. Just the culture that they have built, the atmosphere–even if they’re losing–every game, the atmosphere (is great). So just the culture.”

Smith says he does not yet know which school he will choose.

“Not at all,” he said. “Yeah, next week, my birthday is Monday, so just process it and see where it leads me.”

The post Big Cat visit helped Auburn ahead of decision for 4-star Edge Jared Smith appeared first on On3 .